Page 64 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

“It’ll be okay, Nat,” Nathan said as he brought me in and kissed my temple. He could see my anxiety from a mile away.

“I know, I just hate that my indecision got us caught in this,” I said, sighing.

“We’re right where we’re supposed to be. It’ll all get sorted eventually.”

I took a breath, shook off the weight of it. Nathan was right. He had a calming effect on me.

Because I’m here. With Nathan. And for once, I’m not chasing something that doesn’t fit. I’m stepping into something that feels real.

Another two-hour drive later, we’re pulling up to his mom’s house.

Nathan’s still got deliveries to make tonight, and we’re spending all of Sunday here before heading to the marble yard Monday morning to pick up the next haul—then back to the ferry for the long trip home.

It’s already late afternoon, around 4 p.m. The plan isto meet his mom and brother, grab a cup of tea, then drop off what Nathan needs at the yard.

“You ready?” he asks as he places his hand on my knee again. I could definitely get used to it having a permanent place there.

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess—which is basically never.”

He chuckles.

“Just be yourself. She’s going to love you.”

I take a steadying breath as Nathan walks up to the front door.Okay. This is happening.

He walks up to the door, knocks, and waltzes in. He justwaltzes in. My jaw drops.

I forgot people leave their doors unlocked here. My parents would never dream of doing that. No one in London would leave their doors unlocked. But there’s something to say about a place that’s safe enough to do that. I think that’s really lovely.

“Hi mum,” Nathan says as he steps inside.

“Hi, son!” I hear her call from somewhere within the house. Her voice sounded like it was moving, and sure enough, I see her round the corner quickly.

She gives Nathan a big hug and then turns her eyes to me.

She’s got a very bright and big smile, and I love the warmth I find there. Warmth and I can get along just fine.

“And you must be Nataly,” she says, reaching over for a hug.

“That’s me! It’s so nice to meet you,” I say.

She calls me over into the living room. “Would you like a cuppa?”

I grimace before I can stop myself. “No, thank you, though!”

Nathan immediately clocks my expression, smirking.

“Working on that one,” he teases. “She doesn’t like tea.”

His mom’s eyebrows shoot up. “You don’t like tea?”

“Not yet.” I admit. “Although Nathan seems to think I should give it more of a chance. He got me to try it once and I almost spit it out. But then I drowned it in milkand sugar and it was fine!”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “So basically, she had milk and sugar with a side of tea.”

I grin at him. “Pretty much!”

We fall into conversation all together, and I love how warm his mom is. It makes me feel more at home. She’s also clearly creative, as I can tell from looking around her living room. She enjoys putting a cozy space together. It’s a good thing I’m staying here. I think Josh has been kicked out of his room, though Nathan’s still got his own. I feel a little bad but I’m reassured it’s all good.

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